The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden with the support of Tansukhrai Ratanlal Jewellers celebrated International Tiger Day to raise awareness about the animal’s plight.
There are less than 4,000 tigers left in the world’s forests.
A talk on wildlife conservation followed by a painting competition for the children was the start of the celebration. The painting competition was followed by a street play on the theme ‘Save the Tiger’.
Many conservationists and eminent personalities were present on the occasion.
Speaking on this occasion, Ranjit Dutta, Ranger, Assam State Zoo, said “Tigers are like ambassadors for the brand called biodiversity. So, protecting the tiger results in protection of ecosystem and biodiversity.”
Commenting on the initiative, Sahib Jain, Director of Tansukhrai Ratanlal Jewellers, said, “Tiger is our national animal and it is our pride. Hence, it becomes our responsibility to conserve them and provide them a better habitat.”
“It’s time to celebrate International Tiger Day as India has the largest tiger population and issues such as poaching, receding forest areas and development projects infringing on tiger habitat need to be tackled. If not, we are looking at a bleak future for India’s national animal,” Sahib Jain stated, reports The Assam Tribune.
International Tiger Day is sometimes referred to as the Global Tiger Day and is an annual event organized to raise awareness about the importance of tiger conservation.
It is held every year on the July 29. NGOs, government organizations and ordinary citizens from every nook and corner of the world organize awareness programmes to spread the significance of protecting the tiger.